e-ARC, 400 pages
Release Date: April 19, 2022
Published by: Forever
Read from: March 23- April 6, 2022
Companion to Abby Jimenez’s other books
Source: Edelweiss (I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss and the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Domestic Abuse (Emotional), Domestic Abuse (Physical), Bigotry from parents, Estranged mom, Death of grandparents
For Readers Interested In: Contemporary Romance, Social Class Diversity, Tear Jerkers, Disney References, Age Gap, Dual POV, AdultThe New York Times bestselling author of Life’s Too Short delivers a refreshingly modern fairy tale perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Emily Henry.
After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.
While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.
Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?
*MY THOUGHTS*
When I saw Abby Jimenez had a new book coming out, I didn’t wait to find out what it was about. I added it to my TBR immediately. But even when I got it, I waited until it was not only closer to the date, but also I waited until I was ready to be boo-hoo crying lol And I thought I might get away from this one unscathed…. But nope. This one got me too.
“Look at that man-trum. Eight thousand nerves in the clitrios and still not as sensitive as a white man not getting his way.”13%
You know it’s always the people who say they never have one night stands that end up doing them. The same is true for Alexis Montgomery. But after a bet, a good meal, and a baby goat, her mind changes. Owner of the baby goat? Enter Daniel Grant. He’s ten years younger, very different social class, and a lot more. But as it turns out, they both want a little more than a one night stand. And they develop a a fling. But Alexis knows things can’t last between them. Alexis’ family isn’t welcoming to many people, even her, a “mere” ER doctor. But the more time she spends with Daniel, the more she sees what matters most.
“It was weird because I felt like we’d spent the whole time getting to know each other and at the end I still knew nothing about her.”14%
Ok so the number one, absolutely best thing about this book was Daniel. I don’t care what anyone says, but he is one of the best heroes I’ve read in a long time. He was a reader, he worked well with his hands, he LOVED her, just everything about him was good. He is truly the definition of a cinnamon roll. Completely ooey gooey goodness. He was so sweet I remember being scared to read the third act break-up because I knew it was going to hurt him (and me). And sure enough, it broke us both. I’m not kidding when I say everybody deserves to be loved by someone like Daniel. As for Alexis, I was really angry at her for a while. I was once in a relationship with someone who was a different race than me. He couldn’t bring me to his home and I never met his parents. We were together for 3 years. But I said I loved him, so I allowed it. But every time I asked what are we doing here, he did the same thing she did. And I think I was angry at her because it brought all these types of feelings back. I knew what Daniel went through. But I was glad that she finally grew up and finally saw things for the real way they were.
“Grace costs you nothing”30%
The Disney references are really subtle, (well besides the first one lol) but they are sprinkled throughout the book. And the magic that’s in it is also feels like a bit like some Disney magic. It stretches into the setting as well. Wakan seemed like a small town, but there were some big feels there. I loved the way Jimenez “woke it up” when the tourists were there, and made it rain when a certain something happened. Wakan and the Grant House really felt like it was a character in the novel instead of just a place. And I read the Book Club questions and looked up the bit about the dragonflies, and I had no idea that’s what they meant and they brought a completely different perspective to the story. And the window at the Grant house?! Ughhhhh so good!
“He was in the worst position to be generous, yet he was. And she was in the best position to show grace, and she didn’t. And doing it would have cost her nothing.”44%
In true Abby Jimenez fashion, my feels were all over the place with this one. I laughed (like I literally LOLed) at the solicited ummm…. pics lol And I cried at the surprise situation that just popped up and at the end and yeah so many other places lol But I also felt proud of Daniel at some times and I cheered her on in others. There’s no one way to feel when you read a Jimenez.
“…Love follows you. It goes where you go. It doesn’t know about social divides or distance or common sense. It doesn’t even stop when the person you love dies. It does what it wants. Even if what you want is to not be in love.”79%
The one thing I didn’t care for about this, was the fact that it felt like there was too much of somethings, but not enough of others. I wanted to see more of her ex and the therapy. I wanted to see more of the therapy. And I wanted to see more of her brother? Like she said their relationship was so great, but she didn’t talk to him once? And I wanted to see what happened to her parents in the end.
“I have to go,” she said. Then she was gone. I bawled into my pillow like a baby. And when I was done, I blocked her number so she could never do this to me again.”87%
This book was a roller coaster on my feels, but I expected nothing less. It’s always something with her lol I can’t wait to see how she’s going to gut me in the next book!
Overall, I give this
